Politics, violence, sex, feudalism, wars, killer ice zombies, crazy fire gods, three-eyed ravens…and oh, yeah – dragons. All of this and more can be found in George R.R. Martin’s ongoing fantasy epic, A Song of Ice and Fire.
The morning had dawned clear and cold, with a crispness that hinted at the end of summer. They set forth at daybreak to see a man beheaded, twenty in all, and Bran rode among them, nervous with excitement. This was the first time he had been deemed old enough to go with his lord father and his brothers to see the king’s justice done. It was the ninth year of summer and the seventh of Bran’s life.
The box set of A Song of Ice and Fire
The Book
If you’re not a reader but find the introductory paragraph above to be startlingly familiar, you are probably familiar with the HBO adaptation of the book – “Game of Thrones”. As a staunch book elitist and someone who read the books before I watched the show, I urge all show fans to try the books. They have different nuances than the show – some storylines were completely omitted or significantly modified for time in the show, while the 1000+ pages of the books allow for more detail. There are five books currently published – A Game of Thrones, A Clash of Kings, A Storm of Swords, A Feast of Crows, and A Dance with Dragons. Two additional books are in the works (supposedly) to complete the series – The Winds of Winter and A Dream of Spring.
The books have no “true” main characters – there are over 30 point of view characters to ensure all sides of the story are represented – but a large portion of the novels focus on the Stark family, one of seven noble house on the continent of Westeros. The Starks are as cold and unyielding as the tundra they inhabit and the direwolves that create their sigil. Lord Eddard “Ned” Stark is the blunt patriarch, focused on protecting his children after the brutal murder of the majority of his family in his youth. His wife, Catelyn, is Southern-born but has adapted well to Northern life. Their eldest son, Robb, is eager to learn the ways of being a high lord. Sansa, their eldest daughter, feels she was made for a life at court and is a hopeless romantic. Arya, the younger Stark daughter, is wild and carefree, preferring to hold swords over a needlepoint. Bran and Rickon, the younger two sons, are still enraptured in the beauty of childhood. Then there is Jon Snow, the bastard son of Ned. Entwined with their lives are the Baratheons (the sitting King and Ned’s childhood best friend), the Lannisters (who is the Queen), and the other houses. On the other side of the world, on the continent of Essos, is the exiled daughter of the previous King, Daenerys Targaryen, who seeks to regain what she believes is her birthright.
When King Robert arrives in Winterfell, the Stark’s home, and asks Ned to take over the role of his Hand after the untimely death of their foster father who previously held the position, Ned accepts out of duty. However, as he, Sansa, and Arya travel South, it becomes clear that his death wasn’t natural. Ned unknowingly begins a war that sprawls the continent and affects the lives of everyone living there. Suddenly, all of the Starks are separated and fighting for survival as danger lurks in every corner. If that wasn’t enough, there is an unworldly threat coming from beyond the Wall – and the only way to stop it is to unite Westeros.
These books are truly my bread and butter – I’m a sucker for sprawling high fantasy tales. However, unlike other similar series, Martin prioritizes the characters and relationships over the fantasy epics. They run the show, even as the zombies and dragons and direwolves run through the background. There are dedicated families (some a little too dedicated), families who hate each other, and families that aren’t blood related. All of humanity is explored – honorable and kind characters as well as the worst of the worst. Martin also makes sure to show how goodness doesn’t always out – rather, it often gets you killed.
These books are long and boring at times, but every minute detail is carefully placed to be relevant. I would advise to those who are squeamish to research before reading – there is no shortage of gore, violence, and rape in the novels. Additionally, many of the main characters are children and are unfortunately not spared from the horrors of the world. The most recently published book also ends on the most ridiculous cliffhanger EVER. Be warned.
ASOIF gets five stars from me – now publish the last two books, George!
The Bop
A Song of Ice and Fire‘s bop is “The Boxer” by Simon and Garfunkel. The song speaks of a young boy who travels away from his family and undergoes many struggles. Even though he is beaten and manipulated and thinks of giving up, “the fighter still remains”. This could apply to a multitude of characters – all the Stark children, Jon, Tyrion Lannister, or Daenerys. They are all faced with unmanageable difficulties, but they persevere.
So break out some ale and cozy up with A Song of Ice and Fire – you will be pulled in by the feuding houses of Westeros, the War of Five Kings, and the Khaleesi of the Great Grass Sea.
The other two pulled away from her breasts and added their voices to the call, translucent wings unfolding and stirring the air, and for the first time in hundreds of years, the night came alive with the music of dragons.
*Note: The first and last lines are from the first book of the series, A Game of Thrones – ending with the last line from the most recent book would be a huge spoiler!